Package for deformable annular members



Aug. 13, 1957 D. KNOX PACKAGE FOR DEFORMABLE ANNULAR MEMBERS Filed Sept.28, 1955 INVENTOR. .DALE I. KNOX ATTORNEY PACKAGE FOR DEFORMABLE ANNULARMEMBERS Dale I. Knox, Dayton, Ohio, assignorto The Dayton RubberCompany, a corporation of Ohio This invention relates to a new andimproved cylindrical belt package which is effected in a novel manner.It is specifically directed to the packaging of power transmission andconveyor belts of a deformable nature, particularly those fabricated ofelastomeric materials such as rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like.

The invention provides a solution to the ever recurring problemspresented in packaging power transmission and conveyor belts ofelastomeric material for storage and shipment thereof. Belts of thistype of material depend for their strength on a longitudinal cordstrength section embedded therein, usually at their flexural neutralaxis. If in the storage or shipment of such belts they are twisted orcrushed, their cord sections will be displaced, disaligned, damaged andweakened thereby. Accordingly, in the absence of packaging which iseffective to lend strength and resistance to deformation to these beltsduring their storage and shipment prior to their use, the belts can beeasily damaged and becomes defective before they are ever used.

Prior to the subject invention, packaging of these power drive andconveyor belts fabricated of elastomeric materials has been effected inmany ways which have been merecompromises to meet a single particularsituation. The package effected thereby have not consistently affordedthe protection necessary to insure maintenance of belt strength andoperating characteristics during shipping and storage thereof. Thesubject invention effects a simplicity of packaging of these belts ofelastomeric material in a highly improved fashion which promotes adistinct advance in the art. The belt package resulting is not nitedStates Patent O "ice shipping of power transmission and conveyor beltsof elastomeric materials consisting of a belt core formed of anexpansible sheet element which effects a reinforcing inner wall for thebelts which are placed thereabout, the core including end collars fixedthereto so as to contain the belts and maintain the predeterminedconfiguration thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readilyapparent to those versed in the art from the following description ofapractical embodiment there of, particularly when taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially sectioned and partially broken away verticalview of a novelly improved belt package efiected by the invention.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of the expansible sheet elementproviding the core of the package illustrated in Figure 1. r

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the core joint at oneextremity thereof as taken along line 33 of Figure 1. p I r 1 Figure 4is a partially broken away and partially cross sectioned vertical viewshowing a modified sleeve to be employed as an external container forthe belts as applied in conjunction with the core shown in theembodiment of Figure l.

The invention can best be described with reference to the practicalembodiments thereof as presented in the drawings. The improved beltpackage is effected as follows: A generally rectangular sheet 1 ofboxboard, having an inherentresiliency to cause it to seek to maintainits sheet-like form, is rolled to effect a generally cylindricalconfiguration thereto. In this condition the lateral extremities 2 and 3of the sheet 1 are in relatively overlapped relation to provide abuttingsurfaces thereby. Fixed to and coextensively with the underlyinglateral. extremity 3 of the sheet 1, on the abutting surface thereof,is-a layer 4 of an adhesive such as glue, for example.

only compact and protective but it is simple and inexpensive in nature,lending itself to wide use and application. The improved packagecomprises a novel expansible core providing lateral and verticalstrength to the belts thereon. The invention also contemplates the useof an external reinforcing sleeve in conjunction therewith for effectingfurther strength and protection to the belts in their packaged form.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved packageparticularly applicable to deformable a annular members such as powertransmission and conveyor belts fabricated of elastomeric materials. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedcylindrical belt package providing an inherently expansible reinforcingcore for belts mounted thereto whereby to prevent any undesirabletwisting and permanent setting of the belts in transport or storage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedpackaging for power transmission and conveyor belts of elastomericmaterial and the like to maintain their strength and configuration intransport and storage comprising a novel core element in conjunctionwith concentric sleeve means to contain and laterally and verticallystrengthen the resistance of the belts to deformation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel belt packageparticularly applicable for storage and In its rolled generallycylindricalcondition the sheet 1 provides an inherently expansiblepackage core 5. The power transmission or drive belts B of elastomericmaterial are placed over and about the core 5. The core is thenpermitted to radially expand to' the limits the encircling belts willallow, effecting a slightly tensed generally cylindrical configurationto the belts. The core thus effects an ideal storage configuration whicheffects .no

.a positive connection is then. made between the overlapping lateralextremities 2 and3 of the core sheet 1 through the medium of theadhesive layer 4 therebetween... This connection may be completed in anysuitable fashion, depending on the nature of the adhesive employed.Where the adhesive layer 4 is a glue which is soluble inywater forexample, the glue may be wetted whereupon it will become slippery andwill allow the overlapped marginal portions 2 and 3 of the sheet toslide until the core 5 has expanded to the limits allowed by theencircling belts. As the glue dries the circumference of the core willbecome fixed and the desired radial support to the belts will bepermanently established. In lieu of or supplementary to the usev of suchan adhesive, mechanical fasteners such as the staple 4a may be employedto hold the overlapped portions of the core 5 in place and to preservethe desired radially outwardly stressed condition of the belts. The coreis fixed firmly in engagement with the inner periphery of the beltsmounted thereon thereby.

In this manner a package unit is efiected which provides an internallystrengthened vertical stack of belts which are maintained in a conditionfree of undesirable stress and strain.

At opposed ends of the stacked belts, end collars 6 provided by annularrings of cardboard or the like are fixed peripherally of the core 5 atthe extremities thereof. This further consolidates the stacked belts inedgecontacting relation and reinforces the basic package provided by thecore 5. The collars 6 may be applied by .an adhesive such as glue.However, stapling may be utilized as the connecting means wherefeasible.

-As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the whole packagethus providedmay be wrapped in an exterior burlap bag-like enclosure 7 which isclosed about the topof the stack by a wire loop 8 This provides anexternal protective cover for the packaged belts.

For adding strength to the basic stacked packaging of thebelts B on'thecore 5 reference is made to a preferred external cover 9 shown in Figure4 of the drawings. "As shown therein rather than the bag-like enclosureof Figure 1 of-the drawings, an outer sleeve 9 of the cardboard or paperis firmly applied about the belts as stacked on the core 5. In thisfashion the belts .are completely contained. at their inner and at their.proved package is corrective or remedial and may be utilized tostraighten belts that are originally in a warped condition. By applyingsuch a belt on an expansible core of the nature described and storingit, the belt will be caused to set to its required configuration.

From the above description it will be apparent, that there is thusprovided adevice of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply. with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the inventioninto etfect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its formsor modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim: j

1..A protective package for storage and shipping of readily deformablebelts comprising an expansible sheet element of paper-like materialhaving the lateral extremities thereof in overlapping relation effectinga resiliency thereto, continuous belt elements mounted on said sheet invertically stacked relation, the resiliency of said sheet radiallyexpanding the sheet to the limits the encircling belts will allow, meansinterposed between and connecting the lateral extremities of said sheetin its radially expanded condition whereby it firmly adheres to theinner periphery of the belts and elfects a substantial reinforcementthereof, end elements about said sheet at the respective ends thereofformed of a paper-like material, containing the belts in their verticalstacked relation and effecting a compact deformationresistant packagethereby which will maintain said belts in an optimum condition duringshipping and storage thereof.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1, and said end elementsconsisting of cardboard rings adhesively fixed to and defining thevertical extremities of said package whereby a highly efficient yetinexpensive package obt ains.

3. A protective package for storage and shipping of readily deformablebelts fabricated of elastomeric materials and the like comprising anexpansible sheet of paper-like material having thelateral extremitiesthereof in overlapping relation elfecting an expansive conditionthereto, continuous belt elements mounted on said sheet in verticallystacked relation, the sheet radially expanding to the limits theencircling belts will. allow, means interposed between and connectingsaid lateral extremities 'of said sheet to fix the radially expandedcondition thereof whereby it firmly engages and adheres tothe innerperiphery of said belts and effects a substantial reinforcement thereof,ring elements adhesively fixed to the respective vertical extremities ofsaid sheet and vertically confining said belts in edge-contactingrelation, and sleeve means laterally containing said belts on said coresheet whereby a package highly efiicient to maintain the belts inoptimum condition for storage and shipping thereof obtains.

4. The structure asset forth in claim 3, said sleeve means consisting ofburlap tubing containing said belts in abrasion free conditionduring thestorage and shipping thereof.

Refe'rences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS697,776 .Barker Apr. 15, 1902 1,948,438 Brunet et a1. Feb. 20, 19341,968,402 Kinker July 31, 1934 2,424,553 Conti July 29, 1947 2,469,025Aldham May 3, 1949 2,607,140 Taylor Aug. 19, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 653Great Britain Jan. 11, 1893 590,083 France Mar. 10, 1925

